Iran Tweets Engulf Twitter

As the Iranian regime clamps down on antigovernment protesters on the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, many people around the world are using Twitter to exchange information and disseminate updates on the situation on the ground.

Associated Press

Demonstrators wave Iranian flags as a picture of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is held at center, during a rally in Tehran on Thursday.

Iran-related keywords, including “iranelection” and “22bahman” (a reference to today’s date in the Persian calendar) were popular on the microblogging service Thursday, as users discussed Iranians’ rights to free speech and the rallies outside Iran’s notorious Evin prison.

“This is what Iran’s police have become, thugs,” Michael P. Whaley tweeted, linking to a YouTube video that purports to show authorities beating a protester. Others, such as Raymond Morrison, shared photos from Tehran in their posts.

Others wondered how the West would handle growing concerns about Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Many called for regime change in Iran and submitted a question for voting. “New Blog post Voting Question: Is it Time for Regime Change in Iran — and, if so, How Best to do it?” Eddie Moyer wrote.

Online communications were sluggish for some Iranians, a reminder of the roadblocks citizens encountered after last year’s elections. “From Tehran now: Google up, Facebook and Twitter down. Proxies working but very very slow,” Turi Munthe tweeted.

The Iranian government announced plans Wednesday to ban Gmail and develop a national email service — a move many believe will curtail speech and information-sharing.